Liver health is central to overall well-being, yet it often flies under the radar—until problems arise. With conditions like non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), now called metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), becoming alarmingly common, it's time to pay attention to a growing culprit in our diets: sugar.
Often hidden in processed foods and beverages, sugar isn’t just a sweet indulgence—it’s a key contributor to liver damage. On World Liver Day, experts are pointing out the powerful connection between sugar consumption and the rising incidence of liver disease, urging people to become more label-conscious and rethink their dietary habits.
Dr Rajesh Battina, Consultant Gastroenterologist at Manipal Hospital, Vijayawada, explains that sugar plays multiple roles in the food industry—not only as a sweetener but also as a preservative, bulking agent, and texture enhancer.
“Over the last century, fructose consumption has increased by 500%, largely driven by sugar-sweetened beverages and processed foods,” he says. This surge has been mirrored by a spike in NAFLD cases, now the most common liver disease globally.
“Simple sugars act as key drivers of liver steatosis,” Dr Battina adds. “They fuel new fat production in the liver, converting excess carbohydrates into fatty acids, which accelerates the onset and progression of NAFLD.” The problem is not confined to the liver alone—excess sugar intake is linked to obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and even microbial imbalance in the gut. There’s also a genetic component, he says, with fatty liver showing familial predisposition in some cases.
Dr Pulkit Dhiman, Consultant Gastroenterologist at Livasa Hospital Khanna, echoes these concerns and draws attention to the particular dangers of sugary drinks. “Regular consumption of sweetened beverages not only contributes to obesity and insulin resistance but also leads directly to fat accumulation in the liver,” he says. This accumulation can trigger inflammation, liver cell damage, and over time, cirrhosis. “Even when people are aware of sugar’s effects, it still finds its way into their diets—often in hidden forms.”
Both experts agree on the solutions: limit sugar intake, opt for healthier alternatives like water or unsweetened beverages, and stay physically active. According to Dr Battina, the World Health Organisation recommends that added sugars make up no more than 10% of total daily energy intake—roughly 50 grams on a 2,000-calorie diet. Combined with calorie control and diabetes management, sugar restriction forms a cornerstone of liver disease prevention.
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